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Foster Care Alumni and Higher Education: A Descriptive Study of Post-secondary Achievements of Foster Youth in Texas

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Abstract

In 1993, Texas became one of the first states to adopt a post-secondary tuition and fee waiver for foster youth. In the present study, we examine the post-secondary achievements of a cohort of foster youth in Texas. Youth formerly in care were followed from age 18 to 24. Academic data reveal that only 1.5% of the youth received a bachelor’s degree and 2% received an associate’s degree or certificate, despite the state tuition and fee waiver. While we cannot assess causality, our descriptive data indicate potential waiver benefits in terms of post-secondary enrollment, retention, and graduation rates. However, results reveal that a significant percentage of emancipated youth who enroll in college (all waiver eligible), do not utilize the waiver (46%). In addition, the graduation rate for waiver recipients, while higher than non-recipients, is low. Study findings suggest that waivers may be a viable strategy for promoting higher education among foster youth. However, to substantively improve post-secondary outcomes for foster youth, tuition legislation must be supplemented with initiatives specifically designed to promote waiver utilization as well as college retention and graduation.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and the Supreme Court of Texas Children’s Commission Foster Care and Post-Secondary Education Workgroup for their assistance with this project.

Data Availability

The dataset generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are not publicly available as they are currently under the purview of the Department of Family Protective Services and the Texas Higher Education Board. The authors, in consultation with DFPS and the THECB, will consider reasonable requests for the data.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Texas State University, 601 University Drive, 462 UAC, San Marcos, TX, 78666, USA

    Toni Watt

  2. University of Texas at Austin, Austin, USA

    Monica Faulkner

  3. Texas Women’s University, Denton, USA

    Sheila Bustillos

  4. Baylor University, Waco, USA

    Elissa Madden

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  1. Toni Watt
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  2. Monica Faulkner
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Correspondence to Toni Watt.

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Watt, T., Faulkner, M., Bustillos, S. et al. Foster Care Alumni and Higher Education: A Descriptive Study of Post-secondary Achievements of Foster Youth in Texas. Child Adolesc Soc Work J 36, 399–408 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10560-018-0569-x

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